Ontario extends health card renewal deadline
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Feb 09, 2022 • 12 hours ago • 1 minute read • Join the conversation
A red-and-white Ontario health card.
A red-and-white Ontario health card.
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The deadline for Ontarians to renew health cards has been extended to Sept. 30.
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Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a statement Wednesday that the government extended the renewal requirements during the pandemic for cards that expired on or after March 1.
“While the majority of Ontarians have continued to renew their documents throughout the pandemic, we are committed to ensuring all Ontarians have the opportunity to renew while continuing to access the care they need, when they need it,” she said.
The previous deadline of Feb. 28 has been cancelled, so that health-care providers can continue to accept expired red and white or green OHIP cards until the end of September.
The government had been planning to phase out red and white cards by July 1, 2020, but the decision was made prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that made it more difficult to access in-person services.
Unlike the green health card, red and white cards do not include a photo.
“An individual who faces difficulties renewing their health card, for whatever reason, should contact ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161 (TTY : 1-800-387-5559) to inquire about options for their specific situation,” a government statement says.
aartuso@postmedia.com
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Feb 09, 2022 • 12 hours ago • 1 minute read • Join the conversation
A red-and-white Ontario health card.
A red-and-white Ontario health card.
Article content
The deadline for Ontarians to renew health cards has been extended to Sept. 30.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a statement Wednesday that the government extended the renewal requirements during the pandemic for cards that expired on or after March 1.
“While the majority of Ontarians have continued to renew their documents throughout the pandemic, we are committed to ensuring all Ontarians have the opportunity to renew while continuing to access the care they need, when they need it,” she said.
The previous deadline of Feb. 28 has been cancelled, so that health-care providers can continue to accept expired red and white or green OHIP cards until the end of September.
The government had been planning to phase out red and white cards by July 1, 2020, but the decision was made prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that made it more difficult to access in-person services.
Unlike the green health card, red and white cards do not include a photo.
“An individual who faces difficulties renewing their health card, for whatever reason, should contact ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161 (TTY : 1-800-387-5559) to inquire about options for their specific situation,” a government statement says.
aartuso@postmedia.com
Ontario extends health card renewal deadline
The deadline for Ontarians to renew health cards has been extended to Sept. 30.
